Visiting International Professional Program

Federal law requires all J-1 and F-1 visa holders to carry health insurance. When your MSU student ID is activated upon your arrival, you will be automatically enrolled in Blue Care Network (BCN) of Michigan (www.bcbsm.com/msu) and the insurance premium cost will be charged to your Student Account. With this coverage, you’ll have access to quality health care through hospitals, physicians and affiliated health care professionals in the Blue Care Network of Michigan provider network. Providers can be located on the BCN website at www.bcbsm.com. BCN health insurance premium charges for a year or a semester can be found at MSU Human Resources Page. For VIPP participants, international tuition-billed students charges will apply.

If you'd like to choose another health care option and remove the BCN Health premium charges, your own insurance policy must meet MSU's waiver criteria. Each year waiver criteria changes; download 2017-2018 MSU health insurance waiver criteria (PDF).

Unless staying for a whole year, purchasing daily MSU Blue Care Network insurance is the most convenient option for VIPP participants. Costs vary depending on how many people are covered and the length of your stay. You can download a BCN health insurance daily enrollment form here. The following figures are from MSU BCN insurance's day-by-day rate.

Monthly (31 days) MSU Blue Care Network Health Insurance Cost (based on $6 daily rate per person, valid until 8/15/18)

1. Participant only: about $ 186
2. Participant + Spouse/Domestic Partner: about $ 372
3. Participant + Spouse/Domestic Partner + One Child: about $ 558
4.Scholar + Spouse/Dom. Partner + Two or More Children: about $744

For more information on health insurance such as a member guide book and summary of benefits, visit MSU Human Resources Page or consult with your program coordinator.

Monthly (31 days) MSU Blue Care Network Health Insurance Cost (based on $5 daily rate per person, valid 8/16/18 - 8/15/19)

1. Participant only: about $ 155
2. Participant + Spouse/Domestic Partner: about $ 310
3. Participant + Spouse/Domestic Partner + One Child: about $ 465
4.Scholar + Spouse/Dom. Partner + Two or More Children: about $620

For more information on health insurance such as a member guide book and summary of benefits, visit MSU Human Resources Page or consult with your program coordinator.

Please note that before you arrive in US you must make a decision on your health insurance choice, sign this form and send it to us:

This video below teaches international students how to prepare for their arrival in the US, how the US healthcare system works and how students should seek medical care appropriately if they become sick or injured:

http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/us-healthcare-system-video.php

Health Insurance Waiver

If you decided not to choose MSU student health insurance and purchase an alternative health insurance policy, you should apply for an insurance waiver in order to remove health insurance charges on your student account. In order to get waiver,

1. You must prove that your alternative policy meets the MSU minimum health insurance waiver criteria. For 2017-2018,

A minimum of $500,000 per condition without time limitation
A deductible of $500 or less per individual
Coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical services (Including labs and x-rays)
Coverage for inpatient and outpatient mental health services
Coverage for prescriptions with at least a minimum of $500,000
A maximum out of pocket limit of $2000 per individual and $4000 per family
Worldwide coverage
At least $50,000 for medical evacuation to the international student’s home country
At least $25,000 for repatriation (removal of remains after death) to the international student's home country

2. Please log in your STUINFO account with your NetID and password. Click on "Insurance Waiver" under the "Other" tab on the upper right corner. Complete the insurance waiver questions and send the following two documents to MSU Human Resources:

A copy of your insurance policy (written in English) with the schedule of benefits
Enrollment proof (show your full name, enrollment start date and end date)

Where to send the documents?

Email: studentinsurance(at)hr.msu.edu
Fax : 517-353-1869
Mail/deliver: 1407 S. Harrison Road, Suite 140, East Lansing, MI 48823

It generally takes 2 weeks to review your application. You will receive the result by email. If your tuition bill is due before the application is processed, pay your bill first and get a refund later (if approved). Paying first avoids the accumulation of late fees.

Questions?

Please contact MSU’s Human Resources Solutions Center:

Website: http://www.hr.msu.edu/index.asp
Email: SolutionsCenter(at)hr.msu.edu
Phone number: 517-353-4434
Address: 1407 S Harrison Rd, East Lansing MI 48823
HR Offices are open Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed weekends and University Holidays.

Health insurance waiver instructions in Chinese